Carmel Sepuloni

Much of Carmel’s work as a Member of Parliament has been focused on improving educational and health outcomes for marginalised and vulnerable groups. In particular, her efforts brought National’s Minister of Social Development to account for slashing training incentive allowances. From 2008 to 2011 Carmel held a range of portfolios, including spokesperson on disability issues and victims’ rights and Associate Spokesperson for Social Development and Tertiary Education.

Carmel has worked broadly across both the education and health sectors. She has been the Project Manager of a Pacific Non-regulated Health Workforce Development Research Project, Member of the Health and Disability Commissioner's Pacific Advisory Board, Equity Manager for the Faculty of Arts at the University of Auckland, a Primary school teacher in Samoa and a Literacy Educator for ‘at risk’ youth in Avondale. After losing the Waitakere seat at the 2011 election, Carmel went on to become the CEO of Vaka Tautua - the only National Pacific Health Provider. Carmel is also mother to two boys - aged 16 years and 16 months.

Parliamentary office

Latest from Carmel Sepuloni

Child protection has taken a massive step backwards today with the Government passing a Bill that will give significant powers to unspecified ‘professionals’ or contract holders, says Labour’s Acting Children’s spokesperson Carmel Sepuloni.

Christchurch Central MP Nicky Wagner should be demanding some answers from her colleague Anne Tolley following the appalling treatment of one of her constituents, says Labour’s Social Development spokesperson Carmel Sepuloni.

“The woman, Louise, was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Work and Income had described her reason for not being able to work as ‘sexual activity’ after she had applied for financial assistance.

Social Development Minister Anne Tolley’s claims that her Government’s work with sole parents is her biggest success are in tatters after a major increase in homelessness amongst that group, says Labour’s Social Development spokesperson Carmel Sepuloni.

“Anne Tolley is seriously out of touch with the reality for struggling families. She’s claimed her Government’s work with sole parents as her biggest success, but new figures from the University of Otago show a 36% increase in the rate of homelessness amongst sole parents since 2006.